How to Unlock a Cell / Mobile Phone

How to Unlock a Cell / Mobile Phone
This is How to Unlock a Cell Phone

Techniques for unlocking a cell phone vary between cell phone models and between carriers.

First thing to do is to simply Ask Your Carrier for the Unlock Code. Some carriers will tell your your unlock code and some won't. They will be more likely to tell you if your account is paid in full. Some carriers won't tell you if your service contract has expired. Other carriers will never ever tell you your unlock code under any circumstances...they are just ...ummm....jerks?

Here are some I know of.
Sprint refuses to provide unlock codes to ANY of their customers. (So, maybe just never use them!)

T-Mobile will provide unlock codes to customers after your subscription has been active for 90 days.

AT&T/Cingular CDMA phones are shipped already unlocked (BONUS!)

AT&T/Cingular will provide unlocking codes only for their GSM phones; I am completely uncertain why that is.

Nokia codes for some model phones can be discovered using the online calculator here at Nokia Free.

LG unlocking calculator website performs a similar service for LG cell phones as Nokia does.

The ultimate calculator does unlock codes for some Nokia, some Panasonic and some Siemens cell phones.

So if you have lucked out and they have given you the code, you then simply enter it into the phone on the cell phones keypad. Some providers are even able to unlock phones remotely over the air!

The calculation method really is a kewl little trick. Some providers use unlock codes which are calculated from the IMEI of the mobile telephone. IMEI stands for (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and is a unique 15 or 17 digit code used to identify an individual mobile station to a GSM or UMTS network. The IMEI number easily identifies a mobile phone being used on a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network.

The IMEI is also useful for stopping a phone that has been stolen from you being used. Cell phone owners that have their phones stolen can call their service carrier and ask them to shut the phone down using its IMEI number. With an IMEI number, the phone can be banned from service quickly and easily.

**** It is important to note that swapping a SIM card will not stop a phone from being shut down.

Some cell phone service providers use random unlock codes. These codes cannot be calculated.

Another tip to try.
If your cellular service provider won't help you and you cannot calculate the unlock code for your cell phone, you may be able to unlock your mobile phone with a clip. A clip is a cable that connects your cell phone to your computer. You can then install software onto your computer which will reprogram the cell phone and will remove the lock all together!

If all this still fails you, you are going to have to resort to using a service to unlock the cell phone for you. There are alot of these services online that will charge you a fee to unlock your phone for you. The fees vary but are usually not too high; much less than having to obtain another cell phone. Here is one such site as an example; there are many more.

Good luck!